How to Answer the UC Application Prompts - Students and Counselors

In this video course, you'll learn all you need to know to write your answers to the University of California personal insight questions!

I'll bring you the inside scoop straight from UC admission reps, and show you example essays for all eight prompts.

"Thank you so much for this webinar! I revised all of my answers to my PIQ and the content has gotten immensely better after watching this. A MILLION THANKS!"

-Angelique F, Student

COURSE TAKEAWAYS

• How to find your four UC personal insight question topics• How to know if your topics are good ones• How to stand out when answering the UC prompts • What are UC admission officers really looking for? • What does a great UC application prompt look like?

AND: In the first session, I'll tell you the one thing you ABSOLUTELY MUST do before beginning your UC application.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Session 1 • Finding Your Four UC Application Topics

In this session I’ll show you:

How to find four solid topics

How to make sure your topics are good ones, and

How to make sure you don’t leave money on the table / make sure all the awesome parts of you are showing up on your UC application.

Homework: Decide on Your Four UC Application Topics

Session 2 • How to Stand Out on Each of the UC Personal Insight Questions

In this session, I'll analyze eight personal insight questions--one for each prompt--and teach you three ways to structure your story, no matter what you’re writing about.

During the Q&A, I’ll answer any questions you may have as you begin your drafts.

Homework: Complete drafts of your four personal insight questions.

Session 3 • Taking it to the Next Level: Advanced Writing Techniques & The Great Personal Insight Question Test

In this session I’ll first share some techniques past students have used to make their writing shining, shimmering, splendid (yeah, that’s an Aladdin reference). Then we’ll look at what it takes to write a GREAT personal insight question so you can see how your essay stacks up before you work on finishing up your essay drafts.

Again, during the Q&A I’ll answer any questions you may have about your works-in-progress.

Homework: Complete second drafts for review the following week

Session 4 • Reviewing Your UC Personal Insight Questions Live

This session will be dedicated completely to reviewing your personal insight question drafts. We’ll address everything from content (is this my best topic?) to structure (is this the best way to tell this story?) to details (how can I best stand out?). Many students have called this the most useful part of the course, as much can be learned even by seeing the revision notes offered to other students.

Because by this point you’ll be deep into your drafts (and hopefully finishing!), I’ll spend the entire 90 minutes offering notes on as many personal insight questions as time will allow. Toward the end we’ll have an opportunity to celebrate some of your final drafts.

VIDEO COURSE SYLLABUS

Session 1 – How to Choose Your TopicsSession 2 – How to Stand Out on Each of the UC PromptsSession 3 – Revising the First DraftSession 4 – Taking Things to the Next LevelSession 5 – Ethan Workshops Your Essays